Bhubaneswar: The state government has empowered district Collectors to take a call on home delivery of liquor during the lockdown.
Excise secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani has informed Excise Commissioner Asish Singh about the decision of the government. The Collectors have been asked to take decision on home delivery of liquor by shops selling India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and country-made liquor in their respective districts after taking into consideration the prevailing situation.
“After careful consideration and in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 93 of Odisha Excise Act, 2008, the government has been pleased to delegate the decision of introducing home delivery of liquor by IMFL OFF/ON and country-made liquor shops as well as by food aggregators during the lockdown period to Collectors, who will take appropriate decisions in this regard,” Lohani said in his letter.
The Excise secretary has instructed the Collectors to follow the guidelines issued last year (during the lockdown) regarding home delivery of liquor.
The state government has allowed operation of all godowns under Odisha State Beverages Corporation for wholesale trade between 6am and 2pm.
The government has imposed lockdown with effect from May 5 that will continue till May 19. During the lockdown, all non-essential services including shops selling non-essential items will remain shut. Hence, all the liquor shops have remained closed during this period.
A few days ago, Lohani had submitted a proposal in this regard to the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena.
During the lockdown last year, the state government had allowed home delivery of liquor by food aggregators/delivery service providers/technology platforms as well as by liquor license holders.
PNN
